Tag: Cowboy Junkies

Title: Cowboy Junkies – Whites Off Earth Now (1986) [MFSL 2006]
Genre: Alternative Rock, Country, Folk
Format: MCH SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Although it didn’t originally have anything to do with their sound, the Cowboy Junkies’ name wound up seeming pretty accurate: their music was grounded in traditional country, blues, and folk, yet drifted along in a sleepy, narcotic haze that clearly bore the stamp of the Velvet Underground. Featuring only one original song, the Cowboy Junkies’ debut, Whites Off Earth Now!!, captures the band forming their own sound through covers, including songs by Robert Johnson and Bruce Springsteen. It’s not as captivating as their later releases, but it’s fascinating to hear their signature country-on-valium sound develop. Margo Timmins sings beautifully.

hraudio | allmusic | discogs

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Title: Cowboy Junkies – The Trinity Session (1988) [Analogue Productions 2016]
Genre: Folk, Folk Rock
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Who says you can’t make a great record in one day — or night, as the case may be? The Trinity Session was recorded in one night using one microphone, a DAT recorder, and the wonderful acoustics of the Holy Trinity in Toronto. Interestingly, it’s the album that broke the Cowboy Junkies in the United States for their version of “Sweet Jane,” which included the lost verse. It’s far from the best cut here, though. There are other covers, such as Margo Timmins’ a cappella read of the traditional “Mining for Gold,” a heroin-slow version of Hank Williams’ classic “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry,” “Dreaming My Dreams With You” (canonized by Waylon Jennings), and a radical take of the Patsy Cline classic “Walkin’ After Midnight” that closes the disc. Those few who had heard the band’s previous album, Whites Off Earth Now!!, were aware that, along with Low, the Cowboy Junkies were the only band at the time capable of playing slower than Neil Young and Crazy Horse — and without the ear-threatening volume. The Timmins family — Margo, guitarist and songwriter Michael, drummer Peter, and backing vocalist and guitarist John — along with bassist Alan Anton and a few pals playing pedal steel, accordion, and harmonica, paced everything to crawl.

hraudio | allmusic | discogs

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Title: Cowboy Junkies – Open (2001) [Reissue 2002]
Genre: Alternative Rock, Country, Folk
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Cowboy Junkies have a sound, a vibe. There’s no denying it. You can tell it’s them within a few notes and each successive record seems to pick up right where the last one left off. Some, like The Trinity Sessions, are dark, moody, and mellow, like being coated in honey and draped in velvet. Others, take Pale Sun, Crescent Moon for example, seem downright energetic in comparison. Open is more in line with the first batch, though it has moments of near-enthusiastic revelry. With Alan Anton’s plump (rather than phat) basslines, Peter Timmins’ laid-back drumming, and Michael Timmins’ dirty guitars to ride on, Margo Timmins contributes her trademark sensual, yet understated vocal performances. The whole gang sounds as good as ever. And, although he may be called a songwriter, Michael Timmins is more a true poet with musical inclinations. Full of wonder and romance, fear and passion, Open is simply the next chapter in his sublime book of heartfelt verse. The compassionate tenderness of “Thousand Year Prayer” contrasts nicely with the harmonica and feedback duel of “Dragging Hooks.” And darn if “I’m So Open” doesn’t bounce right along on a little groove. They’ve got it all here. If nothing else, this band is one of the most consistent around. Though album sales may not always reflect it, they continually deliver strong records that refuse to be faulted for anything other than being non-mainstream.

hraudio | allmusic | discogs

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